Nanjing, China

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Nanjing, China

Region: Jiangsu


Geographic Coordinates: 32.060800, 118.779000
Temperature Range: -10.0°C to 40.0°C (14°F to 104°F)
Climate: Nanjing, China has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid with frequent thunderstorms, while winters are cold and damp with occasional snowfall. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant.
Population: 8422000
Language: Mandarin

Nanjing, The capital city of Jiangsu Province in China, Is steeped in history and culture. It has played a significant role in Chinese history for over 2, 000 years and was once the capital of several dynasties. Located on the banks of the Yangtze River, Nanjing is one of China’s most important cities and has been recognized as one of China’s four great ancient capitals. One of Nanjing’s most famous landmarks is undoubtedly the ancient city wall that surrounds it. The wall was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and stretches for over 33 kilometers around the old town.

Walking along this wall offers visitors a unique perspective on both ancient architecture and modern-day life in Nanjing. Another must-see attraction in Nanjing is its stunning Purple Mountain Scenic Area. This area covers an impressive 447 hectares and features numerous temples, Pagodas, Gardens, Lakes, Forests and historical sites. The highlight of this area is undoubtedly Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum which sits atop Purple Mountain overlooking the city below.

Nanjing also boasts some impressive museums such as The Museum of Chinese Modern History which showcases China’s development from imperial times to present day through interactive exhibits including wax figures depicting historical events such as Mao Zedong addressing crowds during his rise to power. For those interested in religion or spirituality, There are many temples throughout Nanjing worth visiting including Qixia Temple which dates back to AD 489 and features intricate carvings that depict Buddhist teachings; Jiming Temple which sits atop Xuanwu Lake Hill; Linggu Temple which houses a massive statue of Buddha made from sandalwood; among others.

Foodies will be pleased with what they find here too! One cannot leave without trying some local delicacies like xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), Duck blood soup or salted duck eggs! Overall, Nanjing is a fascinating city with a rich history and culture. Its stunning architecture, Beautiful natural scenery, World-class museums and delicious cuisine make it an ideal destination for travelers looking to immerse themselves in Chinese culture.



Important Landmarks

  1. The Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao)
  2. The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
  3. Zhonghua Gate (Gate of China)
  4. Nanjing City Wall
  5. Xuanwu Lake Park
  6. Presidential Palace (Zongtongfu)
  7. Jiming Temple
  8. Purple Mountain Observatory
  9. Qinhuai River Scenic Area
  10. Jiangnan Examination Hall Museum

Primary Industries

  1. Nanjing is a thriving city in China, known for its diverse range of industries.
  2. Some of the major industries and businesses in Nanjing include:
    • Electronics
    • Automotive
    • Petrochemicals
    • Textiles
    • Biotechnology
    • Machinery manufacturing
    • Financial services
    • Tourism
  3. Lenovo is one of the largest computer manufacturers in the world and has its headquarters located in Nanjing.
  4. The city also has a booming automotive industry with companies like:
    • Changan Ford
    • Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen
    • BMW
  5. Nanjing has several large refineries located here that contribute significantly to the petrochemical industry.
  6. Textile production has been an important part of Nanjing’s history and continues to be an essential center for this industry today.
  7. The city is home to several biotech companies that are involved in research and development of new drugs and medical technologies.
  8. It also houses many machinery manufacturing enterprises like SIASUN Robot & Automation Co., Ltd., etc.
  9. As one of China’s leading financial centers, there are many financial institutions based here including banks, insurance companies as well as investment firms.
  10. With its rich cultural heritage sites such as:
    • Confucius Temple Qinhuai River Scenic Area
    • Purple Mountain Scenic Area
    • Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
  11. Tourism plays an important role in the economy of Nanjing.

Noteable History

Historical Events:

  1. The founding of the city in 229 AD during the Three Kingdoms period.
  2. The establishment of the Ming dynasty capital in Nanjing in 1368.
  3. The Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864), which saw Nanjing become the capital of a short-lived Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.
  4. The Nanking Massacre (1937-1938), where Japanese forces killed an estimated 300,000 Chinese civilians and prisoners of war.

Notable People:

  1. Sun Yat-sen, founder of modern China and first president of the Republic of China, who established his government in Nanjing in 1912.
  2. Chiang Kai-shek, leader of the Kuomintang party and president of China from 1928 to 1949, who also established his government in Nanjing after Sun’s death.
  3. Zhu Yuanzhang, founder and first emperor of Ming dynasty who built many landmarks in Nanjing such as Zhonghua Gate and Xuanwu Lake Park.
  4. Guo Moruo, a famous poet and historian who was born in Nanjing and served as Minister for Culture under Mao Zedong’s government.

These are just a few examples among many significant historical events and figures associated with this important city in Chinese history.


Museums and Things To See

  1. Nanjing Museum
  2. Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum
  3. Confucius Temple
  4. Zhonghua Gate (Gate of China)
  5. Presidential Palace
  6. Qinhuai River Scenic Area
  7. Jiming Temple
  8. Purple Mountain Observatory
  9. Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
  10. Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall


Sports Teams

  1. Jiangsu Suning FC is a professional football club based in Nanjing, founded in 1958. They have won the Chinese Super League title once and the Chinese FA Cup twice.
  2. The Nanjing Tongxi Monkey Kings are a professional basketball team based in Nanjing, founded in 2014. They compete in the Chinese Basketball Association.
  3. The Jiangsu Dragons are a professional basketball team based in Nanjing that play in the Chinese Basketball Association, founded in 1995. They have won one CBA championship.
  4. The Jiangsu Nangang Volleyball Club is a women’s volleyball team based in Nanjing that competes in the Chinese Volleyball League (CVL). They have won multiple CVL championships and Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championships.
  5. The Zhejiang Golden Bulls (formerly known as Bayi Rockets) played their home games at Wutaishan Gymnasium before moving to Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, although not technically from Nanjing. They are one of China’s most successful basketball teams with eight CBA championships to their name and were originally founded by China’s People Liberation Army back in 1955 before being sold to private investors last year.


Cultural Events

  1. Nanjing International Plum Blossom Festival is an annual event held in late February or early March to celebrate the blooming of plum blossoms at Plum Blossom Hill in Nanjing.
  2. Qinhuai Lantern Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month (usually in February or March) and features thousands of colorful lanterns along the Qinhuai River.
  3. Confucius Temple Fair is an annual celebration during September that honors Confucianism and includes traditional performances, food stalls, and cultural activities.
  4. Nanjing International Dragon Boat Race takes place on Dragon Boat Festival (usually in June) with teams from around the world competing in dragon boat races on Xuanwu Lake.
  5. Jiangnan Sizhu Music Festival celebrates traditional Chinese music every year during October or November.
  6. Nanjing International Jazz Festival brings together jazz musicians from around the world for concerts and performances throughout the city annually during October.
  7. China (Nanjing) International Tea Culture Expo showcases tea culture from around China every year during May or June.
  8. Nanjing Folk Song Festival celebrates local folk music traditions annually in July or August with performances by local artists as well as guest performers from other parts of China.

Cuisine

  • Nanjing Salted Duck: This is a famous dish in Nanjing and can be found at many local restaurants such as Jinling Hotel.
  • Huaiyang Cuisine: This is a style of cooking that originated in the Jiangsu province, of which Nanjing is the capital. It features light flavors and delicate presentation.
  • Qinhuai River Night Market: Here you can find a variety of street food including grilled seafood, fried dumplings, and spicy noodles.
  • Laomendong Pedestrian Street: This area has many traditional Chinese restaurants serving dishes such as hot pot and stir-fried vegetables.
  • Yipin Xiang Pot Stickers: This restaurant specializes in making delicious pot stickers with various fillings such as pork, shrimp or vegetables.
  • Fuzimiao Food Street: Located near the Confucius Temple, this street offers various snacks like stinky tofu and skewered meat.
  • Mingyuan Restaurant: Known for its traditional Huaiyang cuisine dishes like sweet-and-sour Mandarin fish or braised pork knuckle with soy sauce.
  • Yangzhou Fried Rice: A popular dish that originated from nearby Yangzhou city but can be found at many places throughout Nanjing like Shangri-La Hotel’s Cafe Xuan restaurant or Zhenbaozhai Vegetarian Restaurant for their vegetarian version of it!

  • Parks and Recreation

    1. Xuanwu Lake Park is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, offering a picturesque lake, walking paths, gardens, and historical landmarks.
    2. The Purple Mountain Scenic Area is a must-visit for nature lovers and history buffs, featuring hiking trails, temples, and numerous historical sites.
    3. Mochou Lake Park is the perfect spot for those seeking peace and tranquility in the midst of bustling Nanjing. Its beautiful gardens, lakeside paths, and pavilions make it an ideal place to relax.
    4. Zhongshan Botanical Garden boasts an impressive collection of plants from around the world as well as walking trails that offer visitors the chance to explore this stunning garden at their own pace.
    5. The Nanjing Olympic Sports Center offers something for everyone with its expansive sports complex that includes stadiums for soccer and track events as well as swimming pools and fitness facilities.
    6. The Qinhuai River Scenic Area is a historic district famous for its night market where visitors can sample local delicacies while taking in traditional architecture along the riverfronts or enjoying light shows at night.
    7. The Nanjing Museum of Paleontology showcases fossils of prehistoric animals from China’s past providing visitors with an opportunity to learn about ancient life on earth.
    8. The Jiangsu Science & Technology Museum offers interactive exhibits on technology advancements in China making it perfect for families with children who want to learn while having fun.
    9. Nanjing Underwater World located inside Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Scenic Area provides visitors with an opportunity to see various marine species from around the world up close.
    10. The Nanjing Forest Zoo located in Qinhuai district houses over 300 species of animals including rare pandas making it a must-visit destination for animal lovers.

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